MAHWAH, NJ – The State University of New York New Paltz women's volleyball team opened its inaugural New Jersey Athletic Conference slate Tuesday evening, traveling to the Bradley Center to take on Ramapo College. The Hawks battled throughout the night but ultimately fell to the Roadrunners in straight sets, 25-21, 25-19 and 25-16.
SUNY New Paltz came out aggressively in the opening set, taking an early 8-3 advantage behind strong work from the service line and at the net. Christine Balbona sparked the run with an ace, while Lola Konopa added a kill as the Hawks established their largest lead of the frame.
Ramapo slowly worked its way back, but SUNY New Paltz continued to answer. Back-to-back aces from Elena Savage helped push the Hawks ahead, 12-7, before the Roadrunners eventually erased the deficit and tied the set at 14.
The two sides traded points deep into the frame, with a Genevieve Boyle kill leveling the score at 15 and a Lexi Stragalas kill later tying things again at 17. Konopa put SUNY New Paltz ahead, 20-19, but Ramapo responded with four consecutive points to take control late before closing out the opening set, 25-21.
The Hawks remained within striking distance throughout the second. SUNY New Paltz hit .235 in the frame, its best attacking percentage of the night, totaling 12 kills against just four errors. Stragalas helped pace the offense as the Hawks stayed with the Roadrunners through the early portion of the set.
Ramapo eventually created separation behind its attack and service game, taking the second, 25-19, to put SUNY New Paltz in a two-set deficit.
The Roadrunners carried their momentum into the third, while the Hawks struggled to find the offensive rhythm they established in the previous frame. SUNY New Paltz totaled eight kills in the set but was hurt by 16 attacking errors as Ramapo finished off the match with a 25-16 win.
Stragalas led the Hawks offensively with nine kills while adding three block assists and four digs. Boyle followed with six kills and eight digs, while Balbona totaled three kills and a team-high three blocks.
Kim Braun directed the offense with 13 assists and added six digs, while Savage chipped in six assists and two service aces. Jordyn Lewis anchored the back row with a team-best 12 digs.
SUNY New Paltz finished with 27 kills, six aces and six total blocks on the night, while Ramapo totaled 33 kills and hit .242 as a team.
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